A 90-kilometre multi-use rail trail, interconnected loop trails and canoe routes offer very different perspectives on Frontenac County. The area is also home to rare dune and wetland ecosystems, as well as Indigenous pictographs on distinctive rock faces. Visitors can choose between exploring on land, paddling and discovering cultural history.
Along the K&P Trail through a historic railway corridor
The Frontenac K&P Trail follows the historic corridor of the Kingston & Pembroke Railway. The Frontenac section runs through South Frontenac, Central Frontenac and North Frontenac; access points are located in Harrowsmith, Verona, Godfrey and Sharbot Lake. These communities provide wayfinding along the trail, whose multi-use character brings together different ways of getting around.
The trail is suitable for cycling, walking, hiking and horseback riding. ATV use is also permitted, but only with a permit; snowmobiling is among the listed activities in winter. Check permits and seasonal conditions before your trip. The activities available vary not only by the section you choose, but also by the type of use and time of year.
Loop trails and canoe routes in Frontenac Provincial Park
Frontenac Provincial Park offers more than 100 kilometres of hiking and trekking trails laid out in interconnected loops. This makes the park a different kind of outdoor experience from the long rail trail: interconnected loop routes define the trail network here. Activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Snow and trail conditions may vary.
There is also plenty to explore on the water: the park has numerous canoe routes and access points on 22 lakes, as well as portages. Confirm route plans and reservations before your trip. The park is also home to one of Ontario’s largest populations of Cerulean Warblers. Hiking, paddling and wildlife viewing are all part of the experience here—the park cannot be reduced to just one way to enjoy nature.
Water routes and pictographs at Bon Echo Provincial Park
At Bon Echo Provincial Park, the 21-kilometre Kishkebus Canoe Route is a loop that passes Indigenous pictographs. The Cliff Top Trail offers a different perspective: this 1.5-kilometre trail is accessible only by water and leads to three viewing platforms overlooking the lake. The two experiences differ in form—a canoe loop on the water and a trail to viewpoints that is also reached by water.
Mazinaw Rock is 100 metres high and features more than 260 Indigenous pictographs. The rock face is a distinctive landmark in the park’s cultural history. It adds another dimension to the landscape, without the need for a long list of other attractions: the pictographs, loop route and viewing platforms each offer something different.
Dunes, wetlands and forest landscapes
Big Sandy Bay Beach is located in the protected Big Sandy Bay Conservation Area. Its rare dune and wetland ecosystems support diverse plant and bird life. The beach is reached by a hiking trail through forests and wetlands, and is suitable for swimming, birdwatching and hiking. Check accessibility and seasonal use before your visit.
Meisel Woods Conservation Area offers a different landscape: this 130-acre wooded area is located on the Canadian Shield and surrounds a spring-fed lake called Beaver Lake or Bass Lake. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve also includes parts of Frontenac County, including Harrowsmith, Verona and Godfrey. Big Sandy Bay Conservation Area has rare dune and wetland ecosystems, while Meisel Woods is wooded and located on the Canadian Shield.
Historic connections and practical information
The Rideau Canal National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site runs through the southeastern part of South Frontenac Township. Within the wider Ontario travel destination, the Rideau Canal is one of Canada’s 20 World Heritage Sites and one of two such sites in Ontario. Together with the historic railway corridor and the pictographs at Bon Echo, it gives the landscape several distinct historical connections.
The Wolfe Island Ferry operates year-round between the village of Marysville on Wolfe Island and the foot of Queen Street in Kingston. Ferry service and fares may change, so check current service before your trip. This will help you incorporate the specific connections and activities that interest you into your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Kingston, Mountain Grove, Cloyne, Sharbot Lake, Sydenham, Wolfe Island, Battersea, Stormont, Dundas And Glengarry United Counties.
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